2023-08-05 23:14:50
Fish farming is the branch of aquaculture (animal or plant production in an aquatic environment) which concerns the breeding of fish in fresh or salt water. A distinction is made between traditional fish farming in ponds, intensive fish farming in artificial ponds or cages, and breeding in above-ground tanks (concrete, plastic, or wood). This last option is an innovation that is gradually developing.
Ivorian aquaculture sector, immense potential
Côte d’Ivoire has significant potential for developing aquaculture, with 150,000 hectares of lagoons, 350,000 hectares of lakes and many lowlands suitable for the establishment of aquaculture farms, according to the Organization of Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). But today, aquaculture is very underdeveloped. Out of a fishery production of around 110,000 tonnes in 2021, according to official figures, artisanal fishing represents 75% of catches, industrial fishing 20% and aquaculture only 5%, with an increase in aquaculture production of 70% over the past ten years.
The aquaculture sub-sector represents about 14,000 jobs, including 6,000 direct jobs and about 8,000 indirect jobs. Despite this immense potential, Côte d’Ivoire continues to import 85% of its fish consumption needs.
Heading for self-sufficiency in fish
The latest official estimates of the fish needs of Côte d’Ivoire, on the basis of 25 million inhabitants, (before the results of the population census, RGPH 2022) estimate at more than 600,000 tonnes, the quantity of fish necessary to cover local consumption. With local production of around 110,000 tonnes, the gap is covered by imports of frozen fish, up to 500,000 tonnes, for 300 billion CFA Francs in foreign exchange.
However, these data need to be reassessed in the light of the latest results of the RGPH 2022, which estimates the current population at 29.3 million. With an average consumption of 25 kg per year and per inhabitant (official data), needs in the years to come should exceed 730,000 tonnes, of which 85% (620,000 tonnes) will be covered by imports. The share of fish farming in local production is 7,000 tons (6.5%), or 1% of global fish needs.
To achieve self-sufficiency in fisheries resources, the government adopted the Strategic Program for the Transformation of Aquaculture in Côte d’Ivoire (PSTACI) which is part of the National Policy for the Development of Livestock, Fisheries and aquaculture (PONADEPA), at a cost of 1,050 billion over 2022-2026. The clearly stated ambition is to cover all fish needs through local production, and to be among the fish exporting countries. These include:
– to achieve a 70% rate of coverage of fish needs in 2025;
– to achieve a production of 150,000 tonnes of fish per year from 2022 to 2026
– to increase aquaculture production to more than 500,000 tonnes in 2030;
– to take advantage of the aquaculture value chain estimated at 825 billion FCFA;
– to produce 70,000 tons of tilapia in 2031 against 3,500 tons currently.
Opportunities of aboveground fish farming
Fish is the main source of animal protein for consumers in Côte d’Ivoire, with an average consumption of 25 kg per year and per inhabitant. With overfishing, climate change, aquatic pollution (gold panning, frequent oil spills), the development of aquaculture offers an opportunity to help meet the strong growing demand for fish.
Although still embryonic, aquaculture will provide 62% of fish production by 2030, according to forecasts by the FAO, which promotes sustainable above-ground aquaculture through the FISH4ACP project in Africa, the Caribbean and the Pacific.
If fish farming is often done in ponds, the fish can also be raised outside in aboveground tanks (BHS) is a fish farming infrastructure, adaptable to the available space. This approach is suitable for urban and peri-urban environments, with space deficits. At home, you can use your terrace, the garden, the slab. We can also exploit undeveloped or unfinished land.
Above-ground fish farming improves productivity, while reducing the environmental impact by recycling water. It offers an innovative and improved business model. Sustainable fish production businesses have a bright future, in a context of glaring deficit in halieutic resources, with populations more sensitive to fresh fish from aquaculture, to the detriment of imported frozen fish.
Materials and equipment
Several types (wood lined with tarpaulin, glass, Plexiglas, metal, tarpaulin) and shapes (cubic, cylindrical or parallelepiped) of above-ground bins can be considered. In addition to the tank, you need an aerator, a pump, a biofilter, an oximeter. It is also necessary to have personal protective equipment, an electronic scale, landing nets, and a physicochemical control kit, a landing net, basins, open plastic barrels.
Vital requirements in tank fish farming
To undertake fish farming in aboveground tanks, it is necessary to ensure that you have an inexhaustible source of good quality water free of any contaminants. As a source of water, we can consider a borehole, a well or water available in rivers. Tap water (unsuitable) will only be used if it is stored for 48 hours before use, to rid it of chlorine.
One of the requirements remains the compulsory and frequent renewal of the water, as soon as it presents an undesirable smell, a color that is too green or brown. It is therefore important to design a water supply and drainage device, which limits water leaks and facilitates the evacuation of used water.
As for the food of the fish, it depends on the stage of growth. For a start, it is advisable to buy industrial compound feed. But with time and experience, we can prepare our own formulas with natural foods (maggots, earthworms, fresh heated and cut animal viscera, dried and powdered slaughterhouse waste, mosquito larvae), or artificial dry or paste foods (homemade or imported sources and especially transformed into flakes, granules or pellets).
To successfully grow tilapia by fattening above ground, it is necessary to ensure, in addition to good food, good oxygenation of the water. This requires a ventilator and an oximeter.
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Aboveground fish farming, a very profitable niche
Among the many fish farming options, aboveground production in tanks is an activity that will develop even more in the years to come, to meet the challenge of sustainable and innovative production of fishery resources.
Setting up an above-ground fish farm, producing tilapia, for commercial purposes, is a profitable and sustainable business opportunity. Depending on the size of the project (microenterprise or fish farming SME), and the number of breeding tanks, the financing need for this project varies between 2.9 million and 22.9 million FCFA, of which on average 40% for investments and 60 % for working capital representing one production cycle (six months of expenses).
In the breakdown of expenses, the purchases of fingerlings and food which constitute between 70 to 90% of the production costs.
Above-ground fish farming in tanks is an activity with increasing returns to scale. The unit profit per fish tank above ground of 15 m3, oscillates between 295,000 (1 tank) and 630,000 FCFA (10 tanks). Thus, for a six-month production cycle with 10 bins operated, the profit amounts to 6,300,000 FCFA, or 12,600,000 FCFA for two cycles in one year. With this option, the margin per year will represent 31% of the turnover, and 55% of the initial amount invested.
Where to find customers?
The market for tilapia fish is vast and the supply cannot cover the demand. The main customers are: supermarkets, restaurants, catering services, hotels and market retailers. Two weeks before the maturity of the fish, we will be able to communicate on offers of orders and home delivery. The marketing of fish will be done in semi-wholesale and retail. Restaurants, hotels, will be the main targets of the commercial action of the fish farm. This requires the long-term acquisition of cool storage equipment.
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HIGHLIGHTS
A 15 m3 aboveground fish tank could bring in more than 630,000 FCFA for a six-month production cycle, or 1,260,000 FCFA per year
In the cost breakdown, the purchases of fingerlings and feed constitute between 70 and 85% of the production costs, depending on the format of the fish farm
Fish is the main source of animal protein in Côte d’Ivoire with a consumption of about 25 kg per year and per capita
Aquaculture will provide 62% of food fish production by 2030, according to FAO projections
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